The moral imperative to call off the war on health care: Vote “No” on Kavanaugh

I am an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Nixa resident and a proud father. Like so many other 6-year-olds in southwest Missouri, my son Roland loves to play on his grandparents’ farm or conquer the villain of the day with his toy sword. He loves to learn and read books. He also has autism.

When Roland was diagnosed with autism we were relieved because, under the Affordable Care Act, we know that Roland cannot be denied insurance because of autism or any other “pre-existing” condition that may happen throughout his life. We are fortunate to have exceptional facilities and highly capable doctors and therapists here in Springfield. We have insurance that provides Roland with access to the care he needs.

Yet, there are several lawmakers, Attorney General Josh Hawley among them, who are trying to dismantle protections for our young and vulnerable. With an anti-health care judge like Brett Kavanaugh being nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court, these efforts to undo the Affordable Care Act are gaining even more momentum.

1 John 3:17-18 offers us guidance, "How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action."

Does Mr. Hawley not see his brothers, sisters and fellow parents in need? Or, with his lawsuit to remove protections for pre-existing conditions, has he chosen to turn his back on his brothers and sisters?

I have heard Mr. Hawley use the words that he wants to protect people with pre-existing conditions; however, his actions reveal the opposite. His lawsuit would allow insurance companies to go back to discriminating against 2.5 million Missourians at risk, including 332,000 kids. I fear the harm that will fall upon families similar to mine should his lawsuit be successful.

The prophet Isaiah contended with lawmakers like these. Isaiah 10:1-2 reads, “Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless.”

Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 10:8, "Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment." We have a biblical mandate to see to it that those who are hurting are cared for.

Missouri lawmakers can carry out the lessons of Matthew by building on the foundation of the Affordable Care Act to make health care more accessible to everyone and expanding Medicaid to include the thousands of families throughout our state who are caught in a coverage gap.

I am a person of faith; I am a faith leader; I am a father and I support the Affordable Care Act. I urge Josh Hawley to drop his lawsuit against our most vulnerable citizens and Senator Claire McCaskill to continue championing them by voting “no” on Judge Kavanaugh.

I wanted to take a moment and express how great I think it is for southwest Missouri that Billy Long and President Trump are so close and able to work together. It has felt like decades since this part of the country has been considered anything more than just a blip on the political national radar, but Trump has already been to Missouri multiple times and even to Springfield. I don't have any doubt that this is in large part due to the good relationship that Trump has formed with Congressman Long, and it is just exciting to see this benefiting the area and getting our priorities and concerns up the level of the presidency. From what I have heard in speeches given by Trump, he values Billy's take on different issues, and this gives the chance for the southwestern Missouri point of view to be taken into consideration.

The president could obviously be more focused on areas of the country that get more press than us down here, but I am thankful that this is not the case. We have Billy to thank for that not being the case!

Danette Proctor, Willard

Anti-socialist behavior

Anti-socialist behavior is a mental disorder that also affects the heart. Its symptoms are an increased heart rate when the Star-Spangled Banner is sung, eyes that grow moist when Old Glory is presented, a desire to help others in need, a deep respect for those who have served and died for this country and a firm belief in liberty and individual freedom. People with this syndrome have a tendency to believe that hard work and an entrepreneurial spirit are good things. Another symptom is color blindness. They imagine that all people have the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness regardless of the color of their skin. Though color blind, people with this disorder are acutely aware of light and dark. They refer to it as right and wrong. The disease appears to be confined to the Heartland for now. There may not be a cure for this anti-socialist behavior, an illness called American patriotism.

Martin Capages Jr., Springfield

Senator Blunt, tell President Trump to fly flags at half staff for John McCain

Senator Roy Blunt needs to grow a spine and tell Donald Trump to fly the White House flag at half staff until John McCain is laid to rest. The flag and the White House belong to the American people and are not to be used for Trump's private bully pulpit.